The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Denzell Watts: Michigan Product Finds His Fit At UAB
10/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Steve Irvine
UABSports.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Basketball was a vehicle to get UAB's Denzell Watts off the Flint, Michigan streets where he first learned the game.
Flint is known for producing basketball talent. Three Flint natives - Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and Charlie Bell - helped lead Michigan State to the 2000 national championship. Other basketball standouts from Flint include former NBA players Glen Rice and Eddie Robinson. When it comes to sports in Flint, Watts said, "basketball is really big."
It's also a way to get away from some unforgiving streets and neighborhoods in the city.
"When I was younger it was rough but as I grew older my parents got me out of the bad area," Watts said. "I still just wanted to get away from Flint period. I had a lot of friends that got caught up in a lot of bad situations. My dad basically told me that `This is not where you want to live your life, so basketball is a way out.' That's what I chose to do."
Watts, now a 6-foot-2, 207-pound sophomore point guard for the Blazers, learned the game on the playgrounds and the gyms of Flint. He worked with Cleaves, a six-year NBA veteran, while growing up in AAU basketball. He was a two-time All-Michigan selection at Carman-Ainsworth High, averaging 20 points per game his final two seasons.
Basketball, indeed, became his ticket to a college education. The coaching staff at Oakland University in a Detroit suburb tried to convince him to stay close to home. He considered that, as well as some other schools, including Florida State, before getting a message from UAB assistant coach Rob Ehsan. He asked Watts to come check out UAB.
"I didn't know if I wanted to be (in Alabama) but when I came out here it was actually a lot better than what I thought," Watts said. "All the coaches were easy to get along with and that made me feel like I was a priority, like I was at home. It's a beautiful city, a lot better than what I'm used to seeing back home. And the weather, it's a lot better than Michigan."
Watts was one of three true freshmen on a veteran UAB team last season. He served as the backup point guard to All-Conference USA selection Chad Frazier. Watts' role increased as the season wore on and he became more comfortable in the college game. He registered 20 or more minutes of playing time in 13 games with 12 of those coming during C-USA play. He averaged 3.5 points and 1.8 rebounds per game and was fourth on the team with 42 assists.
It's a different mindset for Watts, who has played in 31 games with one start, now as he heads into his second college season.
"I'm a lot more comfortable, just having a year under my belt and playing some last year," Watts said. "It helps me a lot more in my confidence. I'm just ready to go this year. (I learned) it was more of a mental game and it was a lot faster."
His progression as a player was slowed this summer when he injured a pectoral muscle while lifting weights. The injury kept him out of the team's trip to Spain to bond and play in exhibition games.
"With us having a new team, playing in Spain helps give us chemistry early," said Watts, who is one of only four returning players who played for the Blazers last season. "I was frustrated had to miss some of it but I'm glad I'm back now."
Watts said he actually got back quicker than predicted and now he's the veteran of a point guard group trying to replace Frazier. The point guard options include Watts, true freshman Nick Norton and transfers Denzel Collins and Hakeem Baxter.
"I think we have some depth," said UAB head coach Jerod Haase. "What we need to find is somebody who is going to lead us at a high level and kind of take over the reins there."
Watts appears ready to do that after a year of transforming his approach on the court. He grew up playing the position but was more of a scoring option at point guard. He learned how to distribute the basketball more last year and also worked on becoming a more consistent shooter and defender. He also continued to use one of his strengths - which is his strength.
"My strength has always helped me out, it actually helped me out a lot last year," Watts said. "I've always used it. I've been stronger than a lot of people and it's always helped make the game a lot easier for myself."
The season is quickly approaching. The Blazers play an exhibition game on Nov. 7 against UNC Pembroke and begin the regular season eight days later against Louisiana-Monroe. Both games are at Bartow Arena. Watts is anxious to get under way.
"I'm just ready to get back out there and play again and just show more of my game, what I can do," Watts said. "Just do everything I possibly can to make my team better. We had a decent year, I just want to have a better year than last year."
